Terms and Conditions

Our Legal Notice

PLEASE READ THIS WEBSITE'S LEGAL INFORMATION NOTICE CAREFULLY
BEFORE USING THIS SITE.

This contract is set up to clarify the undertakings of Volunteers for South American Progress, a
volunteer placement company, whose address is:

Jr. 28 de Julio #586

Huaraz, Ancash, Peru’

(also referred to as us and we), and the volunteer participating in Volunteers for South American
Progress project placement(s) (the “participant”).

Volunteers for South American Progress has intended to use plain English but if there is
anything the participant does not understand or wishes to have explained, the participant (also
referred to he and she) should contact Volunteers for South American Progress or should seek
independent advice from a lawyer, Citizens Advice Bureau, Law Center or other agency.

By using this website, the participant signifies that he/she has read and accepted these terms of
use.

The materials in the website is provided "as is" and without warranties of any kind either
expressed or implied. To the fullest extent permissible and subject and pursuant to applicable
law, Volunteers for South American Progress disclaims all warranties, express or implied,
including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular
purpose.

Volunteers for South American Progress does not warrant or make any representations regarding
the correctness, accuracy, reliability, or otherwise of the materials in the website or the results of
their use.

Governing Law

This document shall be governed by the laws of Peru’, and shall be honored in any jurisdiction
where it is presented.
Binding Effect

This is a legally binding contract. By submitting an application, the participant and all persons
having or claiming rights on the participant’s behalf acknowledge that the participant has read,
accepted and agreed to be bound by these terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are
subject to modification without the prior written notice at any time, in Volunteers for South
American Progress’ discretion. If any provision of this document is held to be invalid or
unenforceable, the remainder of this document shall be not affected thereby and shall be valid
and enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. This document may not be modified orally.

Release of Liability and Assumption of Risks

The participant is voluntarily participating in a volunteer abroad program as either a student or a

volunteer with Volunteers for South American Progress. The participant acknowledges that
travel to, from and within the foreign country in which the program is located, including at the
participant’s chosen volunteer site, school, accommodations and any in-country excursions, have
inherent risks and dangers that the participant may be exposed to and possibly harmed by. These
include, but are not limited to, personal injuries, property damage, accidents involving motor
vehicles, aircraft and other forms of transportation, sickness, diseases (including food, water or
insect borne diseases that are not commonly encountered at home), riots, political instability,
crime, acts of terrorism, detention by government authorities or individuals, burglary, assault,
encounters with dangerous wildlife and other hazards. The participant acknowledges that as a
participant in the program, the participant may travel to remote rural areas and will lodge and eat
with the residents in those areas. As such, the accommodations, food and sanitary conditions
may be substantially below, the standard the participant is accustomed to. The participant also
acknowledges that healthcare facilities, medical supplies and medical personnel on the program
may be very limited and, if available at all, may be below or substantially below normally
accepted standards.

The participant understands that Volunteers for South American Progress has contracted with
independent local organizations, outfitters, suppliers and vendors for the provision of certain
aspects of the program, including, but not limited to, accommodations, food and excursions
("Partners"), and that Volunteers for South American Progress does not own or operate any of
these partners. While Volunteers for South American Progress has used its best efforts to select
reliable and safe partners, Volunteers fro South American Progress is not responsible for any
negligent or willful act or omission of a partner or other third party, and participant hereby
releases Volunteers for South American Progress from all claims arising out of, or related to, the
willful or negligent acts or omissions of these partners.

The participant represents to Volunteers for South American Progress that, to the best of the
participant’s knowledge, the participant is in good mental and physical health. The participant is
voluntarily participating in the program, with knowledge of the risks and dangers involved. The
participant expressly accepts and assumes all known and unknown risks on behalf of him/her.

In exchange, and in consideration for participation in the program, the participant hereby releases
Volunteers for South American Progress and its employees, agents, volunteers, officers, directors
and representatives (each, a "Releasee") from any and all injuries, deaths, losses, liabilities,
damages, claims, actions, suits and judgments whatsoever including costs, expenses and attorney
fees (collectively, "Claims") that the participant may have now or in the future, directly or
indirectly, arising from, connected with or related to his/her participation in the program,
whether caused by any Releasee or some other person or cause. The participant agrees that
he/she will not, at any time, directly or indirectly, on behalf of himself/herself, his/her child and
his/her heirs, commence or prosecute any action, suit or other proceeding against any Releasee
arising from, connected with or related to the participants participation in the program. The
participant agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Releasee from and against any
and all claims whatsoever that the Releasee may suffer arising from, connected with or related to
his/her participation in the program, whether inside or outside of Peru’.

Further, the participant hereby grant full permission to Volunteers for South American Progress
to use any photographs, videotapes, motion pictures, website images, recordings, comments the
participant makes in questionnaires or letters or any other record of the program for purposes of
commercial advertising, marketing or promotional literature without the need for further consent
from the participant.

Application Process
Upon receipt of your application and deposit, the participant will receive a confirmation e-mail.
Then Volunteers for South American Progress will start the process of confirming your
placement. Some programs require a wait period of 1-2 weeks before placement can be
confirmed.
After submitting the application form the participant will receive an invoice. The invoice should
be read thoroughly. If the participant detects any errors within the invoice, Volunteers for South
American Progress should be notified immediately
Some projects, especially those that involve children, also require criminal background checks or
police clearance records. We reserve the right to cancel a participant’s placement if information
is found that disqualifies the participant from a certain program and if the participant is unable to
supply a police clearance record at least 15 days prior to their arrival in their host country. By
consenting to this contract, you are also allowing Volunteers for South American Progress to run
a criminal background check if necessary.
Upon confirmation of your volunteer placement, Volunteers for South American Progress will e-
mail the participant:
:: A confirmation letter that confirms that there is availability in the project and that a placement
in the program has been reserved for the participant.
:: A volunteer document checklist which will lets the participant know which documents need to
be e-mailed to Volunteers for South American Progress prior to the participant’s departure
:: An invoice outlining the participant’s start date, end date, balance of program fee and project
placement
Upon full payment, Volunteers for South American Progress will e-mail the participant:
:: A document with specific information to prepare the participant for the country of his/her
choice and the contact information with partner the participant will be volunteering for.
Due to the nature of volunteering and the countries we work within, Volunteers for South
American Progress reserves the right to change the participant’s project placement prior and
during the participants participation in his/her project placement, should circumstances arise that
are not within Volunteers for South American Progress’ control. The participant also reserves the
right to request a one time change with regards to the participant's project placement, start date,
or project duration if the request is made 90 days prior to the first of the month that the
participant is due to start his/her project after the participant has paid his/her reservation deposit.
Any additional changes to the application form requested by the participant related to project
placement, the length of the project placement, and/or the start date of the project placement
following the submission of the reservation deposit will be billed at $75.00 USD per request. The
participant is aware that changes to the project placement is subject to availability and is not
guaranteed by Volunteers for South American Progress.
Volunteers for South American Progress will not provide the contact information for individuals
who have participated in our program(s) in order to protect the privacy of these individuals.
However, if the participant would like to communicate with an individual who has participated
in our program, Volunteers for South American Progress can send the participant’s comments to
the individual and receive a response from the individual on the participant’s behalf.

Arrival and Transportation

Participants are responsible for all traveling arrangements prior to arriving at the pre-arranged
pick-up point. Volunteers for South American Progress can give help and advice on how to
arrive at the arranged pick up point. Participants must notify Volunteers for South American
Progress of their arrival date, location and time by e-mailing Volunteers for South American
Progress a copy of their travel itinerary at least 10 business days prior to their arrival in the host
country of their project placement.
The participant is responsible for arranging and paying for flights to and within his/her chosen
country. The participant should not purchase his/her plane ticket until he/she receives a
confirmation letter from Volunteers for South American Progress with his/her specific dates in
the invoice. The participant pays for costs of transport between host families, schools and the
participant’s project(s).

Placement and length of stay

Volunteers for South American Progress co-ordinates the connections between the participant
and the partner organization accepting the participant. Accommodations, such as food and living
quarters, are defined by the organization where the participant will be located. The participant
will have full details of such prior to being committed to a project.

Insurance
Insurance is not included in Volunteers for South American Progress’ project placement fees. It
is the responsibility of the participant to ensure that their insurance covers medical costs and
costs of repatriation in the event of accident or illness. The insurance must be valid from the
participant’s program start date (“start date”) until the end of their project placement (“end date”)
as stated in the invoice. A copy of the participant’s insurance coverage specification sheet must
be scanned and e-mailed to Volunteers for South American Progress along with travel details at
least 10 business days before the project placement start date. Volunteer Visions reserves the
right to reject participant from his/her project placement if the participant does not have proof of
travel insurance.
All insurance must provide at minimum the following coverage:
:: $50,000 Health and Medical abroad
:: $500,000 Repatriation and emergency evacuation
Although cancellation insurance is not required, it is strongly recommended.

Accommodations, Meals and Other Inclusions and Exclusions

It is the responsibility of the participant to confirm what is included in the project cost. The
eating and living facilities at the participant’s project location will be of a local standard, and
may differ from what the participant is accustomed to in his/her home country. The participant
may be required to share a bedroom and/or bathroom. The participant is expected to adapt to and
show respect for local living conditions.
Commutes between host families, language schools and projects can vary and may be well over
an hour in certain locations.
Transportation to the project site is not included in the program fee as published on the website
unless it is explicitly stated on the website.
If the participant chooses to be away for a weekend or a holiday during your placement, the
participant will not receive a refund for the time the participant is away from his/her project for
any meals or accommodations.
At many locations, activities and excursions are provided to the participant at no additional
charge. However, some activities and excursions at some locations require the participant to pay
a fee to participate. Others may not fit into the participant's daily schedule because of volunteer
hours and commute times. Some locations may not offer activities, excursions and social
activities.

Documentation and Visa

It is the responsibility of the participant to obtain all necessary documentation to enter the
country and travel to, from, and within the program. The documentation costs associated with
obtaining these documents will be incurred by the participant and the participant is aware that it
may take several weeks in order to obtain these documents.
A tourist visa is issued upon entry into most countries to Americans, Canadians and most
European countries. The participant is responsible for checking with the local consulate that is
responsible for issuing Visas to ensure that the participant does not need to obtain a visa prior to
arriving in his/her host country.
If participant plans on staying for more than the length of time as permitted on participant’s visa,
Volunteers for South American Progress covenants to use our best efforts to help the participant
receive a visa extension. However, Volunteers for South American Progress cannot be held
responsible for being unable to help the participant receive a visa extension.
Participants are entirely responsible for obtaining a visa for the participant’s respective host
country and for the costs associated with obtaining such a visa.

The Participants Obligation to Volunteer Visions

It is understood that all participants participating in a Volunteers for South American Progress or
partner’s program will obey the laws of the host country. This forbids alcohol consumption by
minors and the use of illegal drugs. The participant is expected to be courteous and respectful at
all times, and abusive behavior will not be tolerated. Volunteers for South American Progress
reserves the right to expel (without refund) any participant whose behavior violates the partner’s
policies or those of special program providers, tour operators, etc. Furthermore, any expenses
incurred by the partner in terminating the program of a participant who violates the center's
policies will be the responsibility of the participant. This includes special transport costs.
Participants should comply with any reasonable requests made by the partner.
Participants are not allowed to enter into any negotiations or other contractual arrangements
during their placement.
Participants are not allowed to take on any paid or voluntary work with institutions connected
with Volunteers for South American Progress unless agreed upon between Volunteers for South
American Progress, the institution and the participant.
Participants are responsible for any damage they or their guests cause to their accommodation,
project placement and equipment loaned to them during their project placement.
Participants will dress appropriately for work and interviews. Volunteers for South American
Progress does not dictate dress policies however participants are expected to behave according to
locally accepted behavior.
Participants must not have any connection with illegal activities or substances including illegal
drugs.

Payment and Refund Policy

Participants must pay the fees outlined on the website and detailed in the participant’s invoice.
Please note that the prices quoted on the website are subject to change and it is the participant’s
responsibility periodically to view the website for current fees. Fees charged will be in
accordance with fees quoted on the website at the time of a participant’s application.
Once a participant’s project placement has been booked and we have confirmation of payment of
an reservation deposit of $325 USD, we will send the participant an invoice outlining the
remaining balance and the date which it is due. If the remaining balance is not paid by the due
date as specified on the invoice, Volunteers fro South American Progress has the right to cancel
the participant's project placement without refund.
An application fee of $25 USD shall be payable by the participant on submission of the
application form. This deposit will be subtracted from the total project placement fee. Volunteers
for South American Progress incurs administrative and organizational costs in confirming and
booking a participant’s project placement. Due to this and because of the narrow margins we run
in order to provide the participant with an affordable placement our deposits are non-refundable
if a participant cancels his/her project placement after the participant’s project placement has
been booked. If a participant’s project placement is canceled or postponed by Volunteers for
South American Progress or one of our partners, the participant's deposit will be refunded.
The $325 USD reservation deposit is refundable in the circumstance that Volunteers for South
American Progress is unable to place the participant in any of his/her top 3 project choices or if
the participant's placement is canceled.
The outstanding balance of the participant's project placement fee, which is outlined in the
invoice, shall be payable 90 days prior to the first of the month of participant’s project placement
start date. If payment is not made by this date, the participant's placement may be canceled,
without liability on the part of Volunteers for South American Progress.
If the participant books a project placement with a start date of less than 90 days from his/her
initial application date, the total project placement fee shall be payable within 5 business days of
submitting the reservation deposit.
Volunteers for South American Progress, at its discretion, reserves the right to cancel any project
placement prior to departure. If we cancel a participant’s project placement, we will refund the
total amount paid to us by the participant including their application fee. Volunteers for South
American Progress will not be liable for any other refunds, costs or damages in respects to the
cancellation of a participant's project placement.
Cancellation will be effective upon the date Volunteers for South American Progress emails a
confirmation of a cancellation request to the participant who request such.
Unfortunately for this reason we can make no exceptions. All refunds will be made less the costs
incurred in processing the refund such as bank charges and transaction fees.
In the event a participant decides to discontinue his/her project placement before it is due to end
for any reason, there will be no refund.
Although we will do everything possible to ensure placement on your desired project, there is
always the chance that the participants placement may be disrupted by an unusual event or
circumstance that Volunteers for South American Progress could not have reasonably foreseen.
Oftentimes these events are a result of weather events, civil unrest, a problem with a particular
non-profit organization or other situations beyond Volunteers for South American Progress’
control. The participant agrees that should any such event occur, Volunteers for South American
Progress will not be obligated to provide a refund to the participant.
Volunteers for South American Progress is not responsible for refunding or reimbursing any
flight costs or any other costs incurred that arise as a result of the participant’s placement not
proceeding or being cancelled, curtailed, withdrawn or changed due to circumstances outside our
control or the control of Volunteers for South American Progress and partners. This includes
changes made by airlines for canceling, changing or transferring flights, or any other events out
of our control.
Participants are solely responsible for all transportation to agreed pick-up point in host
destination country, including airfare, taxes, charges, expenses or penalties that might result from
any cancellation of the participant’s project placement, whether it is cancelled or altered by the
participant or Volunteers for South American Progress.
Participants should make sure that they understand our cancellation policy before applying to
any of our project placements. If participant does not fully understand this cancellation policy
please contact Volunteers for South American Progress.
Volunteers for South American Progress cannot make any exceptions to our cancellation policy
and we strongly recommend that participants purchase cancellation insurance.
Any refunds payable by Volunteers for South American Progress will be made to participant
within ninety (90) days from confirmation of cancellation. All refunds will be subject to charges
incurred in returning funds back to the participant’s account.

Complaint Procedure
In the event that a participant wishes to complain about their placement or the services provided
by Volunteers for South American Progress, its partner organizations, and/or affiliates, the
participant must notify Volunteers for South American Progress immediately in order to give us
or them a chance to rectify the situation. In the event that the participant cannot obtain
satisfaction, the participant should submit a formal written complaint to the Director of
Operations at Volunteers for South American Progress immediately by email. The Volunteers for
South American Progress team will do its best to resolve the problem as soon as possible. Every
complaint will be taken seriously. No complaint will be considered unless the above procedure is
followed.

Termination of Project Placement

The participant reserves the right to terminate his/her project placement at anytime during their
placement. Volunteers for South American Progress will not refund the project placement fee
upon the participant’s voluntary take of leave.
Volunteers for South American Progress reserves the right to exclude any participants who
violate and fail to fulfill any of the above mentioned terms and conditions as stated in the
contract.

Email Communication
Emails from Volunteers for South American Progress’ staff contain information intended solely
for the participant, which is confidential or private in nature. If the participant not the intended
recipient, he/she may not peruse, use, disseminate, distribute or copy this message or any file
attached to this message. Any such unauthorized use, is prohibited and may be unlawful. If the
participant has received an email from Volunteers for South American Progress in error, he/she
should notify the sender immediately by e-mail and thereafter delete the original message from
his/her machine. Furthermore, the information contained in the email, and any attachments
thereto, is for information purposes only and may contain the personal views and opinions of the
author, which are not necessarily the views and opinions of Volunteers for South American
Progress. Volunteers for South American Progress therefore does not accept liability for any
claims, loss or damages of whatsoever nature, arising as a result of the reliance on such
information by anyone. While all reasonable steps are taken to ensure the accuracy and integrity
of information transmitted electronically and to preserve the confidentiality thereof, Volunteers
for South American Progress accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever if information or
data is, for whatsoever reason, incorrect, corrupted or does not reach its intended destination.

Privacy Policy
Information on Volunteers for South American Progress’ application forms and extra details
forms online is collected solely for internal use within Volunteers for South American Progress
and its partners. The participant’s e-mail and other details may be passed onto other volunteers
who are in the same group as the participant, so that the participant can make contact before
he/she meets other volunteers who are in the same group; if the participant would prefer that this
did not happen, please let us know.
Online payments are processed through a secure third party site, and Volunteers for South
American Progress does not receive sensitive information such as credit card information.